FORKS — The Forks City Council adopted the 2024 $11.55 million budget unanimously.
The city’s general fund makes up about 20 percent than the total budget. Among the $2.5 million in capital projects approved Dec. 26 are Bogachiel Way and E Street improvements, remodeling restrooms at Tillicum Park and city hall and repairs at Quillayute Airport. About $2.3 million in grants, including $1.3 million from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, are funding the projects. The budget included $450,000 in lodging tax funds that the city will distribute to public and non-profits that promote tourism.
City attorney Rod Fleck said the Clallam County Public Utility District had asked the city to be its partner in applying for a federal grant to fund the installation of a parallel transmission line to the Bonneville Power Administration line that would act as a backup if Bonneville line was downed by wind, fire or other natural disaster.
The PUD would operate and maintain the line and take care of any repairs, reducing long waits for Bonneville to respond and create greater power reliability.
“It’s a very expensive project,” Fleck said, but the PUD was only asking the city to provide time, assistance and information — not funds.
The council unanimously approved the memorandum. If the grant proposal is accepted, there would be opportunities for input and questions from the community at public meetings before the project starts, Fleck said.
The council also agreed to reject the two bids the city had received for its wastewater treatment plant because they were higher than the funds it had available and rebid the project.
“The budget is about $350,000 short of the lowest bid,” Fleck said. “The engineering firm Parametrix did it as one package versus bid alternatives.”
City staff will break out portions of the project from the basic bid that can be bid separately and then put it out for re-bid later this month.
“Even that doesn’t get it but it’ll get us closer than where we are,” Fleck said. “We’ll have to see what funding sources are available.”
Fleck said reworking the project and sending out to bid again would only delay it about six weeks.
Service recognized
Council member Juanita Weissenfels was recognized for her service on the Clallam County Transit board of commissioners by Clallam Transit General Manager Jim Fetzer, who presented her with a plaque and remarked that she attended every meeting despite the distance.
“She’s made that drive to Port Angeles for 12 years just like clockwork,” Fetzer said. “She’s an important voice for Forks and the West End. We want to let you know how much we appreciate that. Board members have a great deal of respect for you.”
Weissenfels said: “It’s truly been a joy, I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Weissenfels did not run for reelection in the November general election. Her place on the Clallam Transit board will be taken by Forks City Council member Clint Wood.
Clallam Transit has a governing board of eight elected officials from Port Angeles, Forks, Sequim and Clallam County and a non-voting union representative.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached at Paula.Hunt@peninsuladailynews.com
